Typhoon’s death toll climbs to 4 in Samar provinces

TACLOBAN CITY, Dec. 15 (PNA) – Typhoon Nona has killed at least four people in Samar and Northern Samar provinces when it battered the region on Monday, the Regional Disaster and Reduction Management Council (RDRRMC) reported.

Authorities confirmed that the typhoon’s violent winds and heavy downpour claimed the lives of the four.

The first identified casualty is Pascual Ancente, Jr., 31, of Allen, Northern Samar. The victim died due to multiple wounds and head trauma when a galvanized iron sheet hit him.

The second casualty is Tessie Villaneuva Baladad, 38, of Caguingay village, Lope de Vega, Northern Samar. She drowned in Catarman, the provincial capital.

Another casualty is Abundio Bello, 83, of San Jose village, Lope de Vega town. The old man collapsed while heading to the evacuation center. In the remote village of Maduroto, Matuguinao, Samar, flooding drowned Jason Blesario, 28.

Two teams from the Department of Health have been going around Northern Samar, Eastern Samar, and Samar provinces to check on deaths and injuries among the townsfolk.

The RDRRMC has yet to receive reports on the number of persons injured during the onslaught of typhoon Nona.

The weather disturbance has displaced nearly 8,000 families or 30,851 persons in the three Samar provinces. More than 20,000 remained in evacuation centers on Tuesday.

People remained in evacuation centers in Basey, Gandara, San Jorge, San Jose de Buan, Sta. Margarita, and Villareal in Samar; Arteche, Jipapad, Maslog, Oras, San Policarpo in Eastern Samar; Biri, Catarman, Catubig, Laoang, Lapinig, Lope de Vega, Rosario, San Antonio, and San Jose in Northern Samar.

Widespread brownout hit Northern Samar and Eastern Samar as the typhoon damaged power transmission lines and electric posts. (PNA)
LAP/SARWELL Q. MENIANO